up, live out the true meaning of its creed: “”We hold these
truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
Martin Luther King Jr’s Most quoted speech is shared endlessly around his birthday. These words have been drawn out of context so often that the original intent can be lost to younger generations. We remember his idyllic wishes for the country, for his people, but we forget the first half of his speech is a charge to Americans everywhere.
Dr King urges all of us to remember the promise of freedom that our founding fathers had enshrined in our Declaration of Independence. He also wanted us to remember the injustices that were brought upon African Americans. From segregation and police brutality, to systemic poverty and discrimination; Dr King wanted us to to confront these issues.
After showing the dire need of change, he issues his challenge. “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy” This is the creed that we should carry with us every day. Dr King described the possibilities of what we could achieve if those goals were achieved. He wanted us to carry this with us.
Take a moment to read through the entire text of the “I Have a Dream” speech, or watch it all the way through. More importantly, remember the challenges that Dr King set forth for us. Are you doing what you can to “make real the promises of democracy” for all Americans?